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Nintendo Recognizes Leadership and Innovation With Promotion of Three Key Executives

REDMOND, Wash., July 22, 2002 – Nintendo of America Inc. today announced three senior–level executive promotions. Mike Fukuda has been named Senior Vice President, Business Development; Don James, Senior Vice President, Operations; and Elizabeth Aurelio, Vice President, Credit.

“Together these executives represent 45 years of service and excellence with Nintendo, underscoring the depth of our leadership within the video game industry,” says Tatsumi Kimishima, president, Nintendo of America Inc.

Mike Fukuda

In his new position, Fukuda has expanded his role to include corporate strategic planning, as well as continuing to oversee product development, game evaluation and product testing. After transferring to Nintendo of America from Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Japan in March 1994, Fukuda’s initial role was as planning director, overseeing three departments: international, sales analysis and product acquisition. Since then, Fukuda has been instrumental in the development of many of Nintendo’s best-selling games and hardware systems.

Don James

As a 21-year veteran of Nintendo of America, James has contributed to the growth and success of the company. As Senior Vice President, James now assumes responsibility for the engineering and manufacturing departments, in addition to leading Nintendo’s award winning design team. As one of Nintendo of America’s first employees, James joined as product manager, responsible for the assembly of coin-operated games. Since then, James’ creative design skills and product expertise have contributed to everything from Nintendo packaging to the design and construction of Nintendo’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) booths.

Elizabeth Aurelio

Aurelio joined Nintendo of America in 1986 as an associate in the shipping department before moving into the finance department as credit assistant. In 1987 she was promoted to credit manager and then to credit director in 1996. With extensive background in banking and credit, Aurelio quickly assumed a leadership role and continues to lead the department and company to continued record profitability.

As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy®, Nintendo® 64, Game Boy Advance and NINTENDO GAMECUBE™. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.6 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario™ and Donkey Kong® and launching such franchises as Zelda™ and Pokémon®. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.